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It’s Looking a Lot Like Snowshoe Season
By Laura Clark
With the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicting a classic winter for the Northeast, now is the time to consider snowshoeing adventures. While running on the roads is always an option, the odds of slipping on ice are high. Nevertheless, I blissfully ignored these odds until a friend I was running next to slipped and fell. He broke his ankle. But what really made me give snowshoeing a try was the fact that I’m in control. The day I got chased off the road by a skidding car was a game changer. I was lucky that time but figured the odds would not be forever in my favor.
If you think snowshoe running is strange now, back in 1995 it was almost unheard of. Getting in on a sport from the beginning means that records are wide open and even if you are an average player, you will shine. Think of marathons’ early days when participants were regarded as superheroes. I could start each spring confident that at least for a while I would outperform others who had couched over the winter. On the minus side was the fact that equipment was just being invented. But those of us in the Dion Snowshoe Series got to sample new ideas seemingly every race, and this winter Dion Snowshoes is celebrating 25 years of designing, building, and using their own products, based in nearby Pownal, Vt. Learn more: dionnevitrek.com.
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OUR BEST BET EVENTS
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January issue ad deadline: Wednesday, 1/7
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Wishing you health, happiness,
and prosperity in the New Year!
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| “Nobody wins, unless everybody wins.” –Bruce Springsteen | | |
Thursday, January 1
4th annual Saratoga First Day 5K. 11am. Family-friendly New Year’s Day run & walk to kick-off 2026. NEW – Saratoga Springs Lions Club Walk: Join this special event within the event to support Diabetic Awareness and Education (register and/or donate online). USATF certified course (like Firecracker 4): medals for top 3 male/female, open, masters, and age groups. Saratoga Springs City Center, Saratoga Springs. Event info & registration: fc4events.com.
HMRRC Winter Series #2: 49th Hangover Half Marathon (13.1M) & Bill Hogan 3.5M Run/Walk. 12pm. Start the New Year right with a long run. All welcome. University at Albany Phys Ed Building, Albany. hmrrc.com.
First Day Hikes. New Yorkers are invited to celebrate the New Year outside with a First Day Hike at one of many events being held on state lands across the Empire State. The 15th annual event includes a variety of state, partner, and volunteer-le hikes, ranging from mountains climbs, cross-country skis, leisurely strolls along birding trails, and more. Some locations offer multiple hike option, allowing the time and space to enjoy nature’s winter wonders. Hikes are planned at DEC state lands, state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, Forest Preserve trails, canal trails and towpaths, and environmental education centers. All walks and hikes are free, and most are family-friendly, ranging from one to five miles, depending on location and conditions. You can thrive in winter’s cold and snow with a few extra layers of clothing and the right gear – a winning recipe for fitness, togetherness, and outdoor fun, so get out there! For listings of First Day Hikes, visit these websites. NYS DEC: dec.ny.gov. NYS Parks: parks.ny.gov. NYS Canal Corp: onthecanals.com.
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Saturday, January 3
Mt Van Ho: Full Moon Party. Guided group skiing, bonfires, après ski party w/live music in the lodge. Also: 1/31, 2/28, 3/28. Mt Van Hoevenberg, Lake Placid. mtvanhoevenberg.com.
Wednesday, January 7
Gore Mountain Citizens’ Races. 1/7-2/25. 6pm. Snowshoeing & XC skiing. Gore Ski Bowl, North Creek. goremountain.com.
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Saturday, January 10
Adk Tour de Ski: Race Series #3. 5pm. Dual starts. Youth mass start by grade. Technique: skate & youth open. Adults/juniors welcome. Dewey Mountain Recreation Center, Saranac Lake. adktourdeski.com.
Brookhaven Snowshoe Race. 5K race & 2.5K race/walk. 10am. Brookhaven Winter Park, Greenfield Center. greenfieldny.gov.
GHN-ADK Vauhti Skiathlon. 10K. 11am. Saratoga Biathlon Club, Hadley. skireg.com.
Backcountry Snowshoeing for Beginners. 9am-3pm. ADK Yurt Village, Lake Placid. adk.org.
Polar Bear Biathlon. McCauley Mountain, Old Forge. polarbearskiclub.org.
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Sunday, January 11
HMRRC Winter Series #3: 3.5M, 10K, 25K. 10am. All welcome. Phys Ed Building, UAlbany. hmrrc.com.
Shenendehowa Nordic Club’s XC Ski Race. All ages, levels welcome. NYSSRA Nordic. Saratoga Biathlon Club, Hadley. skireg.com.
Winter High Peaks Guided Hike: Esther. 8am-5pm. Adirondack Chocolates, Wilmington. adk.org.
Sunday-Monday, January 11-12
Stifel FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup. Olympic Jumping Complex, Lake Placid. olympicjumpingcomplex.com.
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Wednesday, January 14
Winter High Peaks Guided Hike: Phelps. 8am-5pm. ADK Heart Lake, Lake Placid. adk.org.
Gore Mountain Citizens’ Races. 1/7-2/25. 6pm. Snowshoeing & XC skiing. Gore Ski Bowl, North Creek. goremountain.com.
Thursday, January 15
“Queen of the Catskills” Film Showing about Julie McGuire, by Jamie Kennard – November’s Athlete Profile. Hunter. kratedesign.com.
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Saturday, January 17
Gurney Lane Fat Bike Winter Rides & Races, and Snowshoe Race/Run & Walk/Hike. Fat Bike Fun Group Ride (no-drop, intermediate, 30-45min, limit 25, pre-reg): 12pm. 10M & 5M Fat Bike Races: 1pm. Overall and age-group awards. Also, Gurney Lane 5K Snowshoe Race/Run & Walk/Hike: 10am. Part of Dion Snowshoes Race Series (rentals available). Overall and age-group awards. All ages welcome. Plus: heated warming area with bathrooms and playground + sledding hill for kids. These events are fundraisers to support Gurney Lane fat bike grooming. Sponsored by Grey Ghost Bicycles; some demos available. A Queensbury Parks & Recreation event. Gurney Lane Mountain Bike Park, Queensbury. Fat Bike: bikereg.com. Snowshoe: runreg.com.
41st Grafton Lakes Winter Festival. 11:30am-3pm. Snowshoeing, kicksledding, snow bowling, snowmobile rides, food vendors. more. Polar Plunge, 11:30am: pre-reg: www.zippyreg.com. Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton. parksny.gov.
ADK Map & Compass Fundamentals. 9am-3pm. ADK Yurt Village, Lake Placid. adk.org.
ADK Beginner Winter Tree Identification. For ages 16+. 1-3pm. Adirondak Loj Dining Room, Lake Placid. adk.org.
Hartshorne Masters Mile. 9am. Indoor track at Barton Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca. fingerlakesrunners.org.
Saturday-Sunday, January 17-18
Glenville Hills Nordic & ADK Vauhti Games. 11am. 10K Pursuit 10K cross-country ski race. Schenectady. skireg.com.
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Sunday, January 18
Cock-A-Doodle-Shoe 5K & 10K Snowshoe Races. 10am. Dion Snowshoe Series. Reg by 12/31, online only. Also: Kids Fun Snowshoe Race: 9:45am. New Land Trust, Town of Saranac. cockadoodleshoe.com.
Freezy Cheeks 5K #1: First Frost. Open start: 11am-12pm. Includes a beverage. Black Flannel Brewing, Essex Junction, VT. runvermont.org.
Camp Abilities Winter Program. 9am-4pm. Provide visually impaired campers with an unforgettable skiing experience. Enthusiastic, intermediate/above-level ski volunteers needed. A Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired event. McCauley Mountain, Old Forge. To sign up, Dylan Drexler: dyland@cabvi.org. cabvi.org.
ADK Hurricane Mountain Guided Hike. 8am. Hurricane Mountain Trailhead, Keene. adk.org.
Thursday, January 22
Thursday Night Winter Racing in Cole’s Woods. 6pm. 1/22-2/12. Cross-country skiing (skate/classic) & snowshoeing. A free event. All skill levels welcome (ski race/enjoy & snowshoe run/hike). Dine and shop local after the race. Cole’s Woods, Glens Falls. Info/updates: friendsofcoleswoods.org/events.
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MON-FRI Rock Your Fitness: Boot Camp Workouts. Mon/Wed/Fri: 5:30am, 6:30am, 9am. Tue: 5:30pm. Sat 8am. Special offer: Free week of class with registration for 2x/3x per week option. To register, text and use promo code “ADK fit” to 518-522-9765. Malta Community Center, Malta. facebook.com/rockyourfitnessllc.
MON iRun Local: Monday Night Group Run. 6pm. Free, open to everyone. iRun Local, Saratoga Springs. facebook.com/irunlocal.
TUE Shenendehowa Nordic Club: Bill Koch Youth Ski League. 4pm. 11/4-3/31. Practice, with or without snow, open to all SNC member families in the Capital-Saratoga Region. Garnsey Park, Clifton Park. facebook.com/shennordic.
TU/TH Roundabout Runners: Morning Runs. 5:15am. Twisted Bagel, Malta. roundaboutrunnersclub.com.
THU iRun Local: Sunrise 5-Mile Group Run. 6am. Free, open to everyone. All running experience levels welcome. iRun Local, Saratoga Springs. facebook.com/irunlocal.
SAT Roundabout Runners: Morning Runs. 7am. Ugly Rooster, Malta. roundaboutrunnersclub.com.
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